[akvanden]

I went and look at an 03 Termi today and the thing was gorgeous. Body was 9/10 (sonic blue I believe, never knew how good looking that color was/is), interior was the same if not perfect. Car has 55k on it, engine bay looks like was fully detailed and spotless. All in all I was in awe, never seen a cobra up close like that before. So that's the good, now the bad. There seems to be some "play" in the rear differential or in that general area. It doesn't sound like metal on metal so I'm not sure what it is. It would make a slight thud sound when you were shifting between gears. Shifting was smooth, the guy said it wasn't any u joints because he checked that and the drive shaft. The guys is asking 17k for the car which seems to be a pretty good deal when looking at similar cars in the area.

I would love to sell my GT and have this car but the rear end has me worried. Anyone know what it could be? Does 17k seem reasonable?

[Jobra]

I'd do a compression test and put the car up in the air and inspect the rear end first.

[akvanden]

Any idea what the problem could be with the rear end?

[Thumbie]

crappy rubber bushings in the IRS

[akvanden]

Just wondering if there is a "common" thing on the cobras that do this and whether it would be a cheap (I assume) bushing fix or if the diff is fudged.

[Jobra]

The IRS has a reputation for the rear diff cover leaking and such. You would have to look into it more, free play could be a number of things.

[89StangGT]

I don't know if it's common on Terminators, but I know 99/01 Cobra IRS rears are known for having a "clunk" due to play in gear lash from the factory. Usually it occurs at higher speeds in 5th gear though. Say you're cruising 50 in 5th and let off the gas, then get back on it, it would clunk really loud. Like I said, don't know if this was common in the newer IRS too, but that could be what it is. My 2001 Cobra does it once in a while. If so, it's not a huge deal, just annoying. 17k seems very fair for a 50k mile sonic blue Cobra.

[03SonicBoom]

Here's an idea, swap the rear ends of the GT and Cobra. Then sell the GT w/ an IRS.

[slow02gt]

yes cobras are 03-04 cobras are known to have the thud when shifting...it also can be some bushings to..but i think its just the common thud you drive it more you can learn how to drive the car and if not make the thud when shifting

[akvanden]

Alright, thanks guys. I'll do some homework on the financing end and let you know how it turns out.

[Comp.orangeSVT]

Originally Posted by 89StangGT I don't know if it's common on Terminators, but I know 99/01 Cobra IRS rears are known for having a "clunk" due to play in gear lash from the factory. Usually it occurs at higher speeds in 5th gear though. Say you're cruising 50 in 5th and let off the gas, then get back on it, it would clunk really loud. Like I said, don't know if this was common in the newer IRS too, but that could be what it is. My 2001 Cobra does it once in a while. If so, it's not a huge deal, just annoying. 17k seems very fair for a 50k mile sonic blue Cobra.

I noticed that also on mine, 04' Cobra... I was concerned about that but it seems to be a common thing.

[akvanden]

Think I'm going to go look at it again and make an offer if everything checks out. Besides the basic body and things like fluid leaks, what else should I be looking for? I'd like to take it to a Ford garage in town and pay them check over everything before I hand the check over - is this even something that they'll do? If the Ford garage does, what should I ask them to specifically look at?

[slow02gt]

nuttin to really look foor....if its bone stock...better bringing it to a ford performance shop and have the look over everything

[akvanden]

I'll be lucky if they have a ford garage, period. town is only 3k population.